Jay Ducote cooks up quick gumbo on 'Food Network Star' episode 3

Baton Rouge's own Jay Ducote made it through another week on "Food Network Star," which aired its third episode Sunday (June 21). In this week's challenges, Ducote tackled a quick gumbo and a social media-based challenge that involved taking appetizing-looking food pictures.

We're following Ducote, who is a local food blogger and radio show personality, every week on the show as he tries to win the grand prize: A shot at a regular Food Network program.

"I certainly felt like I had an advantage in (the food photography) challenge just because of experience, but I also kind of felt the pressure that comes with that," Ducote said after the episode aired. "I really feel like I pulled it off. it's a kind of dish I've made before, looking at different colors, contrasting colors to put on the plate and make sure I cooked those steaks properly."

As for the gumbo, that came from the first group challenge that called for the chefs to create dishes based on anti-comfort food trends (slimy, burnt, etc.). Ducote's team leader, Dom, suggested he make a gumbo with okra for the group's slimy course.

"I just said yes and ran with it. It knew that it was going to be really a challenge to pull it off in 45 minutes, but where my mind was at the time means I need to just go and not think about something else," he said.

Ducote pointed out that the prep stations were spread out in the kitchen, so keeping an eye on his roux while also chopping the rest of his ingredients was tough. The result was a blonder roux than he would have preferred.

"If I'd had more time ... it would have done better, but I got through. Definitely, my saving grace was presentation and getting up there and telling a good story," Ducote said. "It wasn't bad. It was just below my expectations and the level of gumbo I'd want to present on Food Network."